Deseret News, March 16, 1997 Bill killing townships, kills local government Editor, Last week the lawmakers of Utah passed a bill for corrections in "local" government provisions. If allowed by Governor Leavitt, it will re-establish old law. What was the "correction" needed? During the closing day of the January 1996 session, the Legislature enacted a law which inadvertently opened the real "local" government box. It allowed unincorporated communities to protect their boundaries from the encroachments of land developers and neighboring city councils hungry for profits and tax base. To do so, formation of a "township" was required. When citizens realized that they had just been granted their first wish from the legislative genie, the reaction was immediate and decisive. Despite legal roadblocks thrown up and the impoundment of ballots, more than one dozen townships were formed by "super" majority votes. Developers, facing probable requirements for less density and more unprofitable "open space," were stunned! County officials were aghast and alarmed. They would keep their tax base but were jolted to the reality that they could be called upon to continue providing road maintenance, police and fire protection to areas which likely never would choose to incorporate, elect a mayor or form a separate bureaucracy. Commissioner Stevenson of Davis County publicly branded such behavior as "cockeyed elitist nuisance." March 16, 1997 Township petitions circulate Supporters hope to collect 7,000 signatures in Weber County By GREG KRATZ_ Standard-Examiner staff OGDEN - Local townships are taking their fight for survival to the streets and supermarkets of Weber County. Township supporters Tuesday set up tables outside an Ogden grocery store and kicked off a petition drive they hope will help protect the powers and borders of their new communities. Hooper Township planning board member Max Simpson stopped shoppers by calling out, "Will you help us save our pioneer towns?" Then he set about convincing them to sign the petitions. "The number one goal is to save the townships and to keep our communities organized," Simpson said." Township supporters are gathering signatures in an attempt to put a law passed in the last few days of this year's legislative session to a vote of the people. That law would eliminate smaller townships, such as Reese, Warren, Marriott and Mutton Hollow, while turning larger townships like Hooper, East Huntsville and Slaterville into planning districts that do not have the power to protect themselves from annexation. That power and the right to partially elected planning boards were two things that drew support for the township concept legislators approved in 1996. To get the issue on the ballot, township supporters need signatures from 67,188 registered voters, or 10 percent of all votes cast for governor in the last elec- tion. Those signatures must come from voters in at least 15 counties, and the petitions must be turned in by April 14. "We've filled several pages already, so we're off to a good start," Bill Morris, Marriott Township board member said."A lot of people want to see these historic communities stay." Morris said local organizers hope to get 7,000 signatures in Weber County by April 5. Simpson said even people who live in the cities of Roy and Ogden have said they support the townships. Clint Costley of Ogden is one of them. "If the people voted for it, people should be able to keep it," Costley said after signing the petition. "It seems kind of stupid to me, really, that (legislators) reversed their decision." 73